1
00:00:01,380 --> 00:00:11,340
To me, graduation means all my hard work 
has paid off. I have worked the last four  

2
00:00:11,340 --> 00:00:16,242
years to get to this point, and it's the most 
exciting part of my college career.

3
00:00:16,541 --> 00:00:22,213
It means that I have accomplished all of my 
dreams so far and made my family proud.

4
00:00:22,820 --> 00:00:27,202
It means that I have worked very hard
to get to this moment,

5
00:00:27,202 --> 00:00:29,949
and I am so grateful and happy to be here.

6
00:00:30,134 --> 00:00:35,537
I am the first graduate in my family, so I am 
first generation. So it means a lot

7
00:00:35,634 --> 00:00:40,860
To me it just means finally getting the degree 
that means freedom, means moving on with  

8
00:00:40,860 --> 00:00:43,980
my life and actually functioning like 
an adult, like they say I'm supposed to.

9
00:00:44,395 --> 00:00:49,538
It's just that next step for you to be able to 
catapult off of into a career.

10
00:00:49,719 --> 00:00:55,106
That's what it means for me. I'm trying to — trying to stay 
here without crying, so… I've been doing it — [laughs]

11
00:01:00,773 --> 00:01:06,479
Commencement is a wonderful time to celebrate all 
that you've accomplished. 

12
00:01:06,534 --> 00:01:10,762
It's another stepping stone. I mean, 
you put in all this work to show it,

13
00:01:10,762 --> 00:01:13,868
so you might as well come and 
walk to show your achievements.

14
00:01:13,972 --> 00:01:20,775
The emotions are higher when you attend graduation. 
You know, the connections that you've made with students 

15
00:01:20,775 --> 00:01:27,162
 
in your program, they're here as well, and I just think 
it's just a very powerful experience.

16
00:01:27,306 --> 00:01:29,698
You know, it's a chance to celebrate with 
your friends and family 

17
00:01:29,698 --> 00:01:32,676
and people that have 
supported you through a really hard process.

18
00:01:32,889 --> 00:01:37,492
I really do think a lot of our students 
are so lucky to be supported by

19
00:01:37,492 --> 00:01:41,268
many family and friends, 
and this day is for them too.

20
00:01:41,423 --> 00:01:48,060
Just because it really does take lots of support from 
everyone around us to achieve these big milestones.

21
00:01:48,330 --> 00:01:53,638
Also, it's just like a nice way to wrap everything 
up and celebrate what you've accomplished.

22
00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:05,540
My husband and actually my dad. So I'm just really 
excited that my dad is here today.

23
00:02:05,595 --> 00:02:09,000
I got my family, my significant other, and I got my  

24
00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:13,201
secluded family as well in Panama. 
They're watching this over [laughs] online.

25
00:02:13,250 --> 00:02:19,855
I got my mom, my dad, my sister, a handful of 
friends, and my grandparents. So it's gonna be nice.

26
00:02:19,903 --> 00:02:23,778
All of my family, in person and virtually.

27
00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:29,413
My mom, my boyfriend, and my dad, and the rest 
of the family is watching live from home.

28
00:02:29,519 --> 00:02:33,637
My family, my uncle and my aunt, 
they came all the way from Arkansas.

29
00:02:33,771 --> 00:02:37,374
And my family actually traveled from 
California to be here.

30
00:02:37,432 --> 00:02:39,895
 I'll have my family there cheering for me,

31
00:02:39,895 --> 00:02:44,339
but I'll also have some of my volleyball players, 
teammates, and coaches cheering for me as well.

32
00:02:51,780 --> 00:02:54,234
Today means excitement.

33
00:02:54,369 --> 00:02:58,521
Relieved. [laughs] 
I've made it, that's it.

34
00:02:58,521 --> 00:03:00,166
Overwhelmed.

35
00:03:00,166 --> 00:03:01,616
Wonderful.

36
00:03:01,616 --> 00:03:03,061
Blessed.

37
00:03:03,061 --> 00:03:04,267
Just excellence.

38
00:03:04,267 --> 00:03:05,841
Achievement. [laughs]

39
00:03:06,169 --> 00:03:09,468
Unreal. Unreal. Unreal.

40
00:03:09,468 --> 00:03:13,534
I want to say earned, but that sounds egotistical.
But I'm still gonna go with earned.

41
00:03:13,534 --> 00:03:15,233
Wait, what do I say?

42
00:03:15,233 --> 00:03:17,703
Uh, anxiety. [laughs]

43
00:03:17,703 --> 00:03:21,324
"Nervexcited." Nervous and excited. [laughs]

44
00:03:21,324 --> 00:03:25,584
Pshooo. Woo-hoo! [laughs]